The Commonwealth Bank Series, 2006-07

Peter English

At Perth, January 30, 2007 (day/night). New Zealand won by 58 runs. New Zealand 4 pts. Toss:
New Zealand.

New Zealand beat England for the second time in eight days, with Oram continuing his
impressive streak after joining the squad late after injury. This time he punished a sorry attack
with four sixes in a 32-ball half-century. A third-wicket partnership of 137 between Vincent and
Taylor provided the platform, 22 wides and three no-balls were an unnecessary bonus, and Oram
applied the brutal late touches. He crashed 35 from his last ten deliveries, and New Zealand stole
81 from the final seven overs to reach their highest total against England. Panesar outbowled the
more experienced Vettori, and Plunkett showed signs of promise when not delivering seven wides,
but England missed the injured Anderson and Lewis. Joyce swapped positions with his county
colleague Strauss, and enjoyed the promotion, reaching his maiden half-century for England before
being run out by a sharp underarm throw from Vincent. However, none of England's recognised
batsmen could score at a run a ball, and the danger grew. When Flintoff was bowled missing a
sweep, the best England could hope for was to avoid handing over a bonus point. Fulton and
Franklin helped Nixon achieve that mini-mission by dropping catches late on, but Nixon finally
fell one short of a first half-century when well taken by Oram, diving forward at deep square.